12 Answers
12

Droid Messenger has you go through their website, which is a deal breaker for anyone who cares about the privacy of their text messages.

DekstopSMS is full of bugs and hasn't been maintained since August 2009.

I haven't tried RemoteSMS but the free version only supports WiFi and at work my laptop is on a network that my Android can't access, so I couldn't use it there.

EasySMS was the winner so far. Free with an option to donate 1 EUR for messages longer than 160 chars, with author actively working on the few outstanding issues, SMS threads are displayed in the browser over a local connection to the phone (no information leaves the phone or your computer). Worked fine over USB, including the in-browser notifications of new SMSes. Shows incoming MMSes. On the down-side, it can't mark as read on the phone the messages you have read in the browser, so if you have a notification LED flashing for incoming texts, it will keep flashing until you read the message on the Android.

BrowserTexting is free (but not open source) and uses AES end-to-end encryption between browser and the Android. The website doesn't explain exactly how it works, but presumably the android app and your web browser both connect to the browsertexting.com server. Features include no need to have mobile on same network as the computer, desktop and sound notifications, Chrome extension, bulk SMS, autosync with the phone's Inbox etc. No mention of MMS support.

MightyText is a lot like browsertexting. Free. No info about security. More confusing GUI, less features and a bit more buggy. Unfortunately with signup, but a lot of users and also chrome extension. Also worth a try.

been meaning to update this for sometime. EasySMS has the advantage of being free and also support Bluetooth/USB, clearly the winner among 3. Though I might add i fee RemoteSMS is slightly more stable.
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Kaushik GopalJul 19 '10 at 4:42

Wondershare MobileGo is now the best thing out there and the closest match to Nokia PC Suite I can find. The free edition lets you view and compose SMS messages and manage contacts, music, movies, or photos. Also no fee for longer messages. There is nothing to install on the device for USB connectivity and there is also the option for WiFi connectivity but with an app. The GUI is really tidy and the app is constantly updated by the developers. I feel this is closest match to answer this question.

MAXS (Modular Android XMPP Suite) allows you to send SMS messages over XMPP. It also allows you to control various aspects of Android, includes a SMS/Call/Battery notification and reply system. Additionally it is able to send and receive files to and from your Android device. There are many other features too.

Using XMPP as transport, the "desktop app" can be every XMPP Client. Which is one of the big advantages of MAXS, as it does not need a dedicated desktop app. Although there may be one in the future.

Note: According to the FAQ I have to disclose that I am involved into MAXS. MAXS is an open source GPLv3 licensed Android app. Everyone can contribute.

I have never of heard of what you're looking for, but if you're in a pinch Google allows SMS through your Gmail account and is independent of your phone. You have to enable the feature from Gmail Labs.